Mel Gibson a 'Jew-hater', screenwriter says

A Hollywood screenwriter has accused Mel Gibson of "hating Jews" and says the filmmaker used him to overcome his tarnished reputation as an anti-Semite.

Joe Eszterhas, who is known for his work on Basic Instinct and Showgirls, sent a furious nine-page letter to Gibson, accusing him of never wanting to make The Maccabees, a film about a Jewish revolt.

"I believe you announced the project with great fanfare - 'a Jewish Braveheart'— in an attempt to deflect continuing charges of anti-semitism which have dogged you, charges which have crippled your career," he said in a letter obtained by TheWrap.

TheWrap previously reported that Warner Bros. had put the film on hold, rejecting Eszterhas' script because it lacked "a sense of triumph."

In the letter, Eszterhas writes that Gibson said the Holocaust was "mostly a lot of horseshit".

The screenwriter refers to Gibson's behaviour as "was wild, crazed, and explosive" and claims he had an anti-Semetic obsession.

"You continually called Jews 'Hebes' and 'oven-dodgers' and 'Jewboys'. It seemed that most times when we discussed someone, you asked 'He's a Hebe, isn’t he?' You said most 'gatekeepers' of American companies were ’Hebes’ who controlled their bosses'."

He also makes reference to Gibson's break-up with Oksana Gregorieva and alleges he threatened to kill her.

Mel Gibson retaliated with his own letter, claiming that Eszterhas’ script was "a waste of time".

"Joe, not only was the script delivered later than you promised, both Warner Brothers and I were extraordinarily disappointed with the draft.

In 25 years of script development I have never seen a more substandard first draft or a more significant waste of time. The decision not to proceed with you was based on the quality of your script, not on any other factor."

In 2006 the Australian-raised actor was arrested for drink driving and exploded into an anti-Semetic rant at the police officer.